That’s not the most frustrating thing for the Ram community. It’s that a hard-working senior who loves track probably won’t be able to experience his final state meet.

James Fuller, who ranks in the top five in Class 3-A in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and anchored the Rams to third place in the all-class Drake Relays 400 relay last month, likely won’t compete this weekend because of injury.

Glenwood was considered a title contender with Fuller, a Tulsa recruit, at full strength.

“I know that he’s disappointed,” Glenwood coach Mark Starner said. “I feel so bad for him. He’s a game-changer, obviously. Without him, we can still score some points at the state meet. To be realistic, it’s going to be difficult to be in the top three or even the top spot.”

After sitting out the Hawkeye Ten Conference meet on May 7 as a precaution because of a hamstring injury, Fuller reinjured his left foot in practice on May 11, experiencing some tingling. He had broken the second metatarsal in that foot twice. After going through tests following that practice, Fuller was allowed to try and compete in the state-qualifying meet on May 14.

In his first race of the meet, the 400, he felt pain and finished fifth in 53.50 seconds. He scratched from his remaining events. There hasn’t been a firm diagnosis of the latest injury, but it likely will prevent him from running this weekend.

Despite the setback, Glenwood will be taking plenty of quality athletes to Des Moines. Its 1,600 relay team of Dane Kruse, Caleb Petersen, Brogan Weddum and Carter Von Essen qualified first at 3:24.86. Its shuttle hurdle relay team of Blaine Clark, Petersen, Von Essen and Kruse has the second-fastest time this season (58.26). Kruse qualified third in the 110 high hurdles, and Von Essen advanced tied for eighth in the 400 hurdles.

“I know the kids haven’t changed their mindset at all,” Starner said. “Me, being a realist, I know it’s not the same. But I think their mentality is still the same.”

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